Carepage acquires Aged Care Guide in its quest to transform care

On a mission to improve the experience of consumers and families navigating the maze of finding care, leading data collection and analytics software platform CarePage is solidifying its position of care change-maker in the industry with the acquisition of DPS Publishing, the company behind Australia’s largest aged care directory, AgedCareGuide.com.au.

The acquisition signals the beginning of a new era of transparency in the sector, which is set to benefit both consumers and providers, driving improvements to the quality and diversity of services across the board.

Multi-platform media company DPS has a rich history of providing consumers with quality information to their care decisions, through a range of print and online resources, including Aged Care Guide, Disability Support Guide and Your Retirement Living Magazine incorporating Home Care Guide.

CarePage CEO and former aged care nurse Lauren Todorovic is passionate about care and has her sights well and truly set on ensuring that Australian families are better equipped to make informed decisions.

“Most families trying to navigate the aged care space are doing so at a point of crisis,” says Ms Todorovic.

“This acquisition will allow us to provide families with the information and support required to make better informed decisions about their loved ones’ aged care journey.”

From humble beginnings as an aged care directory and reviews platform in 2014, CarePage’s evolution has been nothing short of remarkable and the company continues to explore new avenues to transform care for consumers, workers and organisations through its SaaS solution, big data capabilities and media properties.

Bringing DPS under the CarePage umbrella will create a one stop shop to help Australians navigate the complexities of aged and home care, retirement and disability, while feeling better supported to make informed decisions as they search, compare and choose the best care for themselves or their loved ones.

Together, the two businesses are stronger combining perfect synergies to accelerate growth in the B2B market, and opening up channels to the B2C market through innovation of the aged care directory.

“Aged Care Guide offers a much needed resource to the ageing communities and those living with disability,” Ms Todorovic continues. 

“A large number of people are still impacted by the digital divide. One in four Australians don’t have access to the information they need. 

“The DPS print solutions such as Aged Care Guide, Your Retirement Living and the Disability Support Guide offer an alternative for people that can’t access this information online.

“At the same time, being able to offer care providers a gamut of digital solutions to support their needs will ensure they can put all their focus on providing much needed care and improving people’s lives.”

DPS CEO Michelle Beech is excited about the future and says “Partnering with like minded people whose mission and thinking is the same as ours has been one of the blessings of this partnership.

“DPS was founded 22 years ago to help consumers navigate a confusing aged care system and provide information and support through what can be a difficult time in their lives. We give them choice and control over the support they receive for themselves or their loved ones, connecting the provider to the consumer in multiple, easy to use and understand ways. 

“Expanding our services from not only residential care, home care and retirement, to also include the disability sector over the last 4 years to help participants navigate the NDIS, we believe we have the right combination of both print and online media outlets to help any person on their journey, whether they might be just starting out or thinking of changing providers, our array of services available are there to help people on their way,” Ms Beech says.

“CarePage was also founded from the same ideas and values – to help those looking for care when they need it the most.

“Together the two companies can provide such a broad range of services to suit any person’s requirements, whether it be the consumer, participant or the provider. I am excited to be working alongside Lauren and her team and the plans we have for expansion in the next few years is something I can’t wait to be a part of and show everyone.”

Whilst CarePage and DPS will continue to operate as two distinctively different brands, they have a shared mission and vision which will provide the much needed platforms to help the aged and disability sectors for many years to come.

“This acquisition compliments our core values which include caring for the most vulnerable in our community and continuing to innovate and transform the care industry in Australia,” Ms Todorovic says. 

The two female leaders look forward to working together as passionate strong voices and advocates in the aged and disability sectors.